Vaccination Injury in Fort Wayne, IN

Did you know that vaccine injury plaintiffs can face extraordinary challenges?

The wheels of civil justice have turned even slower than usual since the COVID-19 pandemic. Since vaccination injury cases go through a federal government process first, the wait can be excruciating. Fort Wayne locals will need knowledge and legal expertise to plan ahead.

What Is a Vaccination Injury?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports vaccines contain a weakened or dead version of a disease. After injection, the body develops antibodies to specific illnesses. Effectively, this makes the recipient immune from the disease.

Most people who receive vaccines have a successful immunity boost for many illnesses. While vaccines may contain the disease, some recipients develop health problems. A qualified Fort Wayne, Indiana vaccination injury lawyer can help determine if you have a claim.

It can be onerous to determine how many individuals suffer harm from vaccines annually in Fort Wayne. Furthermore, linking a vaccine injury to ongoing medical issues can be challenging. Nonetheless, the federal government offers a Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to citizens.

What Are Some Common Types of Vaccination Injuries?

It is perfectly normal to experience some minor soreness around the vaccine injection site. However, vaccines should not cause significant harm. If you or a loved one has experienced pain, loss of body functions or even death, you should talk to an experienced Fort Wayne vaccination injury lawyer.

Febrile Seizures

Studies suggest that vaccinations are the second most common cause of febrile seizures. While they are generally harmless to children in Fort Wayne, they can be uncomfortable to experience. A few of the vaccines that have causation links are:

DTaP

Seasonal Influenza

Pneumococcal Conjugate

Thrombosis

Thrombosis is the medical term used to indicate the formation of a blood clot. Since these can cause extreme or life-threatening situations, it deserves individual attention. For example, this complication is rare but can happen after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Fort Wayne, IN health professionals administer the vaccine. Alternatively, the contents of the vaccine can cause harm.

Symptoms may range from ongoing pain at the injection site to a complete loss of muscle movement in the arm. While often temporary, vaccination-related shoulder injuries may be permanent.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Research has linked Guillain-Barre syndrome to different types of vaccines, one of which is the annual flu shot. The condition happens when the immune system attacks itself, causing damage to nerve cells.

While the symptoms vary, they often include paralysis and muscular weakness. These issues typically resolve within a few weeks. But, Guillain-Barre syndrome may cause permanent nerve damage. This injury may result in loss of motion, paralysis, and other ongoing complications.

Anaphylaxis

Fort Wayne healthcare professionals should check for known patient allergies. If a vaccine recipient happens to be allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine, the injection may cause a reaction. Symptoms may include hives, fevers, fainting, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. Regrettably, an individual may not realize they have an allergy until after receiving the vaccination.

Encephalitis

Encephalitis sometimes happens when there is an infection in the body. It can also be part of the body’s response to an infection. This condition results in swelling of brain tissue.

Some common symptoms of encephalitis are pain, fever, headaches, fatigue, and weakness. While these problems may resolve in a few weeks, doctors must track this potentially life-threatening condition.

Myelitis

While encephalitis is swelling of the brain, myelitis involves spinal cord inflammation. Nonetheless, doctors and scientists do not completely understand the causes of myelitis.

Still, some patients have developed spinal cord inflammation after vaccine injection. Swelling around the spinal cord may cause a variety of complications. Symptoms may include paralysis, pain and loss of muscular control.

What Are Some of the Vaccines, Conditions, and Injuries Covered by Law?

The Vaccine Injury Table contains a summary of injuries eligible for petitions to the federal government. You may have limited options if you do not recognize circumstances similar to yours. A few cases that demonstrate compensable situations are in this section.

Shoulder Injury from Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines

Fort Wayne Pediatrics reports that pneumococcal bacteria are one of the most significant contributors to pneumonia. Additionally, the disease can contribute to the development of these infections:

Meningitis (brain and spinal cord infection)

Bacteremia (blood infection)

Sinus infections
Ear infections

One of the more common (but rare) vaccination injuries is shoulder injuries. Under the current Vaccine Injury Table, you have eligibility for compensation if complications start within 48 hours.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome from Seasonal Influenza Vaccines

The Indiana Immunization Coalition estimates 5% to 20% of people get the flu annually. Healthy individuals in Fort Wayne typically recover without significant incidents. However, complications can become severe when one or more of the following apply to your circumstances:

Pregnant women

People 65 years of age and older

Children under five years of age
Patients with chronic conditions

If you suffer from Guillain-Barré Syndrome 3 – 42 days after a flu vaccine, you should report it to VAERS. With this task accomplished, you will want to consider meeting with a lawyer and petitioning the HRSA.

Intussusception from Rotavirus Vaccines

Rotavirus vaccines are not injections but oral drops given to infants in the first fifteen weeks of their life. The potential risks associated with it are generally mild and uneventful for children in Fort Wayne. But, there is a risk of a more serious medical event called intussusception. If you notice symptoms of this condition in a child, seek medical help immediately.

What Is the Legal Process for a Vaccination Injury?

Even if the symptoms you experienced after your vaccine are not in the above list, you may still have a vaccination injury.

If you have sustained an injury from a vaccination in Fort Wayne, Indiana, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should also seek a legal opinion as quickly as possible. A vaccine-related injury can result in extreme consequences that interfere with your life. Accordingly, you may be able to pursue financial compensation.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Hiring a qualified Fort Wayne legal professional can help determine if you qualify for compensation.

A lawyer can also explain your other legal options. For example, you could file a lawsuit against the vaccine manufacturer. In other cases, you may sue the healthcare professional who administered the vaccine.

The claims process is very complex. If you do not properly assert your claim, you may receive a denial and jeopardize your odds of receiving compensation. In some cases, but not all, the U.S. District Court in Fort Wayne will evaluate the merits of your assertions.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Fort Wayne, Indiana

The purpose of a vaccine is to improve your quality of life by keeping you healthy. Unfortunately, if you suffer an injury after a vaccination, your life may never be the same again.

While you may be able to receive financial compensation for your vaccine injury, the process is not easy. Therefore, hiring an experienced Fort Wayne, IN vaccine injury attorney is essential. It will greatly impact the quality of assistance and settlement you may receive.

If you are looking to hire a vaccination injury lawyer, we are here for you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Indiana state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!